Oldest skeleton found
Egypt, Local, 5/18/2002

Belgian-Egyptian excavators have stumbled upon the oldest human skeleton in North Africa, reports Nevine El-Aref.

At Taramsa, south-east of the Dendara Temple in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Qena, a team of excavators were absorbed in work when they came across a complete skeleton.

The skeleton was found in a seated position, facing eastwards and with the skull tilted upwards. The skull is characterised by a broad forehead, short nose, prominent cheekbones and a wide mouth containing five teeth.

"It is a very important discovery that will contribute much to our knowledge of human evolution in Egypt and elaborate on the physical development during different ages," said Sabri Abdel-Aziz, head of the Ancient Egyptian department of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

He explained that anthropologists have dated the remains as being between 30,000 and 33,000 years-old, meaning that the skeleton is from the modern Paleolithic age.

"This is the oldest skeleton found in North Africa," said Abdel-Aziz, who described the cavern where it was discovered as an archaeological treasure.

"The discovery was made unexpectedly," said Pierre M Vermeersch, director of the mission.

Moreover, he explained that during work on cleaning the Taramsa area, the skeleton came to light along with some flints and pottery shards. Vermeersch speculated that these items "could be the oldest in the world after some found in China."

To preserve the unique discovery and to prevent rapid deterioration of the bones -- which are slightly decalcified -- restorers from Leuven University in Brussels assisted in wrapping the skeleton in situ using a mixture of sand and a plastic soluble glue before placing the bones in polyethylene bags.

As part of the further study of the skull's morphology, a CAT-scan will be conducted during the coming month at Luxor International Hospital.

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